077 THE FACECHURCH (Should anyone be going to church on Facebook?)

Facebook has gathered church leaders for a conference to ask how they can have church on Facebook. It’s all about “connection.” Peanut allergies and Netflix’s new dating show Sexy Beast and Brian not having a son are discussed, as well as theories of brand dilution and holiness. And the revelation: We speculate about how Facebook is promoting a particular version of the internet and its new product idea through this effort.

“Facebook’s Next Target: The Religious Experience” (New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/25/us/facebook-church.html

“Facebook decided faith groups are good for business” (Reuters): https://www.reuters.com/technology/facebook-decided-faith-groups-are-good-business-now-it-wants-your-prayers-2021-07-22/

Neflix’s Sexy Beasts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJO5m6EFL6A

Elevation Church on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationchurch.org/

Timothy Beals on the Bible and “brand dilution”: https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Bible-Timothy-Beal/dp/0547737343

Spiritual destinations in Second Life: https://secondlife.com/destinations/belief

Mark Zuckerberg bets on the “Metaverse”: https://www.theverge.com/22588022/mark-zuckerberg-facebook-ceo-metaverse-interview

Terry Eagleton, After Theory: https://www.amazon.com/After-Theory-Terry-Eagleton/dp/0465017746